Maple Tops, What do they add? |
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Maple Tops, What do they add? |
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Sep 20 2014, 06:18 PM |
It all really depends on the exact individual pieces of wood but in general ...
The maple top will add a bit more high-end and sustain. Mahogany can be a little dark sounding so Gibson decided to 'cap' Les Pauls with maple to bring back a little snap. *Not all LPs have a maple top and the pickups, hardware and neck can play a major role in a guitar's tone. Again, this is general info. No two guitars (even two LPs with consecutive serial #'s) will sound exactly the same. -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Sep 20 2014, 07:00 PM |
I can say that I don't have too much knowledge in the wood stuff but one of the luthier I've been working said that a thick maple top adds more body (bass range) to a telecaster shape guitar... is this possible?
I'm using this guitar in some songs live nowadays and I can say that it has a good bass frequencies and a very good sustain... (and off course maple top). -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Sep 20 2014, 07:19 PM |
There are many reasons why a guitar can have great bass response and/or be bright sounding. It's really never just one factor.
Gabriel, is that Tele shaped axe a 'neck thru' or is it a bolt-on? That factor alone can usually affect the tone and response more than any specific wood. Also, your Tele has a carved top - which usually means it has a 'cap' on it. -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Sep 20 2014, 08:23 PM |
ESP Kamikaze is all maple body, might be a good example
This post has been edited by Mertay: Sep 20 2014, 08:23 PM |
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Sep 20 2014, 10:35 PM |
Keep in mind the moisture factor of your guitar - rosewood and many other types of wood are very pourous, and because only the top is sealed, the inside (the hole) is bare wood - maple is a denser wood, and will weather better, but as a rule of thumb, try to keep your guitar in the 70F range with 50% humidity (45-55 actually).
no comment on the tone. i suspect it would be too subtle to notice - especially if mic'd or using a pickup. -- edit -- oops, thought this was about accoustic, but the humidity / fingerboard, etc. same applies the whole type of wood debate gets heated - i prefer to stay out of thatt! This post has been edited by SirJamsalot: Sep 20 2014, 10:38 PM -------------------- The more I practice, the more I wish I had time to practice!
My Band Forum: http://passionfly.site/chat |
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Sep 20 2014, 11:14 PM |
the whole type of wood debate gets heated - i prefer to stay out of that! +1 and me too! Even with just the wood you have to consider: age, density, moisture level, grain, quality of, 1 piece or 2 and 3 piece bodies (and necks), is it capped with something, the glue they use, paint, how much paint, lacquer, what type and how much lacquer, who put it together, were they skilled ... ? Too many variables. I have 20 electrics. Many are the exact same type using the 'same' woods ... and no two (of the same type) sound the same - even acoustically. I have a Gold Top sans maple cap that should be darker than a standard or a custom (w/maple cap) - but it's not - ?. The wood makes a difference but it's only like 1 of 20 things that 'make a difference' on an electric guitar. And in my experience, which I don't mind saying at this point in my guitar playing life is vast, even just changing tuners or bridge saddles can sometimes drastically alter the tone of a guitar. Sometimes for good, sometimes for bad. *Changing your pick will usually have more of an impact on your tone than anything else. Case in point: On my Telecasters I (and many others) like the low E and A strings to pop and snap with a little less sustain than the rest of the strings so I put an aluminum saddle under the low E and A and brass under the D, G, B and high E. Having said all that, a Tele will usually be brighter than a Les Paul (even w/the maple cap). Save for that one generalization - all bets are off. This post has been edited by klasaine: Sep 21 2014, 02:14 PM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Sep 23 2014, 11:43 PM |
Thats a sweet top Been playing one for so long when I hold a Fender it feels like a toy |
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Sep 24 2014, 10:29 PM |
Ibanez's use of maple tops (essentially veneers) are more cosmetic than anything, really. I wouldn't expect it to figure much into the tone of the guitar.
-------------------- http://www.six-string-samurai.com - Gear reviews for the terminally GAS-afflicted.
Thank you to John at GMC for inviting me to hang out and talk gear with you guys! |
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